articles

Get Ready to Run!

30 Races that are Fun for the Whole Family

By Lindsay Keller, Publisher Macaroni Kid Skokie, Niles, Park Ridge and Far Northwest Chicago April 26, 2018

Spring and summer are coming and it's time to get out of the house. Races, 5Ks, fun runs and walks are a great way to get the family out and active. Being that we are in the Chicagoland area, there are tons of options. I'm not going to list them all here because that would be just madness! But I am going to list some great ideas for races that are kid and family friendly or are for a great cause that will benefit kids and families in need. As a general rule of thumb, if a race it stroller friendly, those with strollers are asked to line up in the back, but check out the race info to be sure.

April 22, 2018

Wildwood PAC Earth Day 5K and 2K Fun Walk/Run @ Wildwood Park Field House - This Earth Day run/walk is kid and family oriented and sponsored by the Wildwood Park Advisory Council.

The 2nd Annual Race Against Extinction Earth Day 5K Run/Walk & Bear Cub Kids Fun Run @ 2430 N Cannon Drive in Chicago - This race includes all kinds of racers including runners, walkers, kids under 12 who can participate in a 1K, parents with a stroller, inline skaters, and runners or walkers with a pet. Proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Fund.

April 28, 2018

The 2018 Shelter 5K Run/Walk 4 Kidz @ Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village - This race benefits Shelter, Inc., which helps provide housing for kids who have been abused or neglected. Kids (3 - 16 years) can register for a 5K run or walk or the Kidz Dash (3 - 10 years).

April 29, 2018

Ravenswood Run 5K and Kids Race @ Wilson Ave and Hermitage Ave in Chicago - Kids 3 years and younger can do a 20 yard dash, 4 - 7 year olds can do a 50 yard dash and 8 - 10 year olds can do a 100 yard dash. And of course, adults and older kids can participate in the 5K. Strollers are welcome too.

May 5, 2018

Best Buddies Friendship Walk @ Brookfield Zoo - This walk raises awareness for and supports the inclusion of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Fellowship Housing Tough Mother 5K to Benefit Single Moms @ Busse Woods - Options for this race include an adult 5K, youth 5K, youth mile and toddler dash. There will also be balloon twisting and face painting.

May 6, 2018

Race to Wrigley @ Wrigley Field - This race benefits Cub Charities who aim to improve health, education and fitness by increasing access to sports for kids at risk. Kids 12 years and younger may also participate in the 5K and strollers are allowed as well.

May 17, 2018

The Universal Sole Four Mile Classic @ Montrose Harbor - This race benefits Chicago Run, a NPO working to fight childhood obesity. This is an evening race and kids may participate as well as individuals with strollers and dogs.

May 19, 2018

Stemstep5K @ Humboldt Park - Kids can register either for the 5K or the family walk. Proceeds from this race will go towards local schools and athletic clubs with S.T.E.M. programming.

May 20, 2018

Move for the Kids 5K Walk/Run @ Soldier Field - This race benefits Lurie Children's Hospital. Both kids and adults can participate in the 5K run or walk and kids 12 years and younger can also participate in a 100 meter dash. Strollers are also allowed.

June 2, 2018

The Stroller Run @ Grant Park - The Stroller Run series benefits children's charities. Parents can run with a stroller and kids 5 years and older can also run without a stroller.

I Know A Fighter 5K Chicago @ Lincoln Park Grove 13 - This race benefits the Children's Tumor Foundation. Kids are also welcome to participate in the 5K.

June 3, 2018

Run for the Zoo @ Lincoln Park Zoo - Highlights include 5K or 10K and a Safari Stampede kid's obstacle course for kids 3 - 6 years old. The race benefits Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago's free zoo.

2018 Chicago Promise Walk and 5K Run @ Busse Woods Forest Preserve - This event benefits the Preeclampsia Foundation and both kids are adults can participate.

PAWS Chicago 5K @ Montrose Harbor - Strollers, wagons and dogs can participate in the walk portion of the event and kids can participate too. 

June 7, 2018

2018 Race Against Gun Violence @ Grant Park - Proceeds go to Strides for Peace, a NPO that works to reduce gun violence in Chicago. Racing options include an 8K, 5K run, 2 mile walk, and a Tots for Peace Sprint for 2 - 10 year olds. Strollers are also welcome at this race.

June 9, 2018

The Sugar Rush - Krispy Kreme Challenge @ Busse Woods - This 5K also includes a kids run, game zone, and more.

Imerman Angels Brunch Run 5K and Walk @ Montrose Harbor - Participants, including kids 5 - 12 years old, can choose from a 5K run/walk or a 1 mile walk and strollers are allowed. Proceeds go to Imerman Angels, a NPO that connects cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers with one-on-one support.

June 10, 2018

Gigi's Playhouse Chicagoland 5K Fun Run, Walk and Dash for Down Syndrome @ MB Financial Park in Rosemont - Proceeds go to Gigi's Playhouse to support programs for those with Down Syndrome.

Special Gifts Theatre 5K Run & 3K Walk - Northwest @ Busse Woods - This race benefits the Special Gifts Theatre which pairs those with intellectual disabilities with a peer mentor to help teach speech and language development and social skills through theater. Both kids and adults can participate in either the 5K run or the 3K walk.

9th Annual Your Next Step is the Cure Chicago Fun Run @ N Stockton Dr and W Lasalle Dr in Lincoln Park - This event benefits the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation. This is purely a fun run and will not be timed. But you can also decorate and fly a kite as part of this event and it's family friendly.

June 16, 2018

Kids Obstacle Challenge @ Busse Woods - Kids ages 5 - 16 run an obstacle course with 12 - 15 obstacles. And the best part, parents run free with their kids!

June 17, 2018

Race Against Hate @ Flyod Long Field in Evanston - Race options include a 10K, 5K run/walk, a youth mile for 8 - 13 year olds, and a youth half mile for 7 years and younger. Strollers are allowed for the 5K walk and youth races. Proceeds the YWCA Evanston/North Shore and their work in violence prevention and racial justice.

The Color Run @ Soldier Field - If you haven't heard of the color run, all you need to know is wear white, have colors thrown at you and have lots of fun. And kids are welcome.

June 30, 2018

Run the Runway at CEA (PWK) @ Chicago Executive Airport - Race options include a 5K run or 1 mile walk and kids can participate too. But if you come back to the airport at the end of the day, there will be a bunch of festivities including fireworks, food trucks, live music and more.

July 14, 2018

8th Annual - A Safe Haven Run! To End Homelessness @ Montrose Harbor Grove 16 - In addition to the 5K, kids 12 years and under can participate in a free fun run.

July 21, 2018

2018 Hemingway 8K in Oak Park - In addition to the 8K, there is the Kids Running of the Bulls for kids 3 years and older. Kids can decorate a cardboard bull and run around Scoville Park.

July 29, 2018

Northwestern Run for Walk @ Northwestern University - Options include 4.1 mile run, 5K walk, youth mile and kids' races. Oh and registration includes a ticket to a Northwestern football game against either Duke on 9/8/18 or Akron on 9/15/18.

August 11, 2018

Stan's Donut 5K & Kids Dash @ Montrose Harbor - Um, donuts! Oh and a 1/2 mile dash for kids 12 years and under. Strollers are also welcome.

August 25, 2018

Life Time Kids Tri Chicago @ Foster Beach and Chicago's lakefront - Kids 7 - 14 years old can enter the kids triathlon as individuals or as part of a team. 

If you're looking for more options (yes, there are a bunch more out there) trying looking at RunGuides or Fleet Feet Sports' Chicago Race Calendar. So get outside this spring and summer and find your family fun run!

Macaroni Kid Skokie-Niles-Park Ridge is a website and weekly newsletter focused on family events and happenings in our community. We are delighted to serve not only Skokie, Niles and Park Ridge, but also Harwood Heights, Norridge, parts of Schiller Park and Rosemont as well as the far northwest Chicago neighborhoods of Edison Park, Forest Glen, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, parts of Portage Park and other nearby areas.